NewsBlues mrsbgrammar Page 86
76
Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
short words vs. long ones
Most of the time Mrs. B prefers short words to long ones.
And your viewers do, too.
Instead of "approximately," say ABOUT.
Instead of "commence," say BEGIN.
Instead of "deactivate," say SHUT OFF or CLOSE.
Instead of "endeavor," say TRY.
Instead of "finalize," say END or COMPLETE.
Instead of "implement," say CARRY OUT.
Instead of "initiate," say BEGIN.
Instead of "objective," say AIM or GOAL.
Instead of "prior to," say BEFORE.
Instead of "purchase," say BUY.
Instead of "remuneration," say PAY.
Instead of "replicate," say REPEAT.
Instead of "utilize," say USE.
Mrs. B agrees with one of her favorite poets:
"Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the
people."
-William Butler Yeats, poet, dramatist, essayist, Nobel laureate
(1865-1939)
